Hinduism Summary
Hinduism also known as Sanatana Dharma (or Eternal
Truth/reality/way) is third largest religion in the world followed by
Christianity and Islam. Hinduism is also the oldest religion in the world, the
origins of which are not clear. Bhagavad Gita one of the main scriptures of
Hinduism dates to the time of Lord Krishna avatar about 5300 years earlier.
Ramayana, one of the Main Itihasa (a
religious story that happened) dates to
14 million years. Some modern historians trace the origins of Hinduism to Indus
valley Civilization which dates back about 4500 years back. It only be said
that the historians are unable to trace the existence of Hinduism on this
planet earlier to 4500 years.
Hinduism is practiced in the Indian Subcontinent, southeast
Asia and wherever the Indian migrants have migrated to, Including Europe,
American continent, the Caribbean and parts of Africa. Hinduism is regarded as
synthesis of various Indian cultures and traditions with diverse roots and
traditions with no founder. Although Hinduism includes a broad range of
philosophies, it is linked by shared concepts (Like the creator, protector and
liberator and an single eternal being known as the Brahman from whom the whole
of physical universe and living souls emerged- including the multitude of
divine beings and Gods, rebirth, dharmic rules and Karma), recognizable
rituals, Cosmology, scriptures, pilgrimage & scared sites and festivals
& functions.
Hindu Scriptures are classified into Shruthi (“heard” or “revealed”)
and Smriti (“remembered” or “authored”). These texts discuss theology,
philosophy, mythology, vedic yajna, agamic rituals, and temple building, among
other topics. Sources of authority and eternal truths in its texts play an
important role, but there is also a strong Hindu tradition of questioning
authority in order to deepen the understanding of these truths and to further
develop the tradition. In Line with this tradition regional scriptures like
Thiruppvai By Andal and works of Mahadevi Akka, Mira Bai, Surdas, Kabir and
Lalla can be mentioned.
Prominent themes in Hindu
beliefs include the four Purusharthas, the proper goals or aims of human life,
namely Dharma (ethics/duties), Artha (prosperity / work), Kama (desires/passions) and Moksha (liberation/freedom from the cycle of death
and rebirth/salvation); karma (action, intent and consequences), Samsara (cycle of death and rebirth), and the various
Yogas (paths or practices to attain moksha). Hindu practices include rituals
such as puja (worship) and recitations, japa,
meditation, family-oriented rites of passage (birth, death, marriage) ,
annual festivals, and occasional pilgrimages. Some Hindus leave their social
world and material possessions, then engage in lifelong Sanyasa (monastic practices) to achieve Moksha. Hinduism prescribes the eternal duties, such as
honesty, refraining from injuring living beings (ahimsa), patience, forbearance, self-restraint, and
compassion, among others. The four largest denominations of
Hinduism are the Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism and Smartism
This summary was part of class
assignment in HarvardX and edX online course titled “Hinduism Through Its
Scriptures”
